Smilebox – an app that poses security risks to its users

SmileBox is a free application that allows creating collages, slideshows, invitations, greetings and other creative stuff. The program is legitimate; however, it has features that can be attributed to the potentially unwanted program (PUP). If you have encountered Smilebox installer on your computer without downloading it, you should take care of its removal.

According to computer experts, Smilebox application is also known as a browser hijacker due to these reasons:

silent installation;

alteration of browser’s settings;

delivery of commercial content, such as ads, banners or links.

The program spreads in software bundles and might get inside the computer unnoticed. For this reason, the appearance of the program makes people think that it’s SmileBox virus. However, it’s a huge misconception. This application is not malicious. Potentially unwanted programs cannot harm the system or files stored on the computer.

Users just have to learn to install freeware and shareware correctly[1] to avoid third-party apps. If you do not pay proper attention to software installation, you may have found yourself wondering what is Smilebox? And what does it do on my computer?

The signs that computer is infected are clear. As soon as the Smilebox malware gets inside the computer, it might alter browsers’ settings. These modifications consist of a changed homepage and/or default search engine to Mystart.smilebox.com, which is a commercial search engine[2] that might display modified search results.

Using this search tool, you can notice that search sessions are interrupted by various redirects. Thus, you may end up on unknown and even insecure third-party websites. Also, Smile box can also initiate annoying pop-up ads, in-text links, banner ads and other notifications that are mostly used for affiliate marketing.[3] While developers generate revenue from your clicks, you have to deal with inconveniences and potential threats. [4]

Thus, if you do not want that all this information would be used against you, you should perform SmileBox removal right now. Aggregated information usually is used to update, improve and maintain the application, provide interesting online ads, and might be shared with third-parties. How partners, advertisers or advertising networks might use information about you is unknown.

In most cases, information is used for marketing purposes.[5] Though, you can even imagine what might happen if this data gets in the hands of cyber criminals. Thus, you should remove SmileBox from the computer to prevent all possible problems. Also, we recommend scanning the computer with Reimage to clean other suspicious applications from the device.

Questions about Smilebox

SmileBox is legitimate program; however, it might spread in the software bundles and change browsers' settings.

The PUP might be distributed in software packages

Though in most of the cases this program is downloaded by people from its official website. However, it can also infiltrate computers behind people's back because it has been actively promoted with the help of bundling. To avoid system hijack, you need to monitor installation of the freeware:

Opt only for Custom or Advanced installation of the freeware.

Uncheck pre-checked check marks that say that you want to install browser add-ons, extensions, plugins, toolbars and similar components on your computer.

Security experts from Bedynet warn that skipping the latter step might lead you to additional problems, like the loss of your personally non-identifiable information, slowdowns on each of your web browsers, redirects, annoying pop-up ads, and similar issues.

Learn how to uninstall Smilebox from your device

In the article, we have explained what is Smilebox and what problems it might cause. We assume you want to get back full control over your browser, avoid suspicious redirects and ads, and access your favorite search engine from the main page.

Thus, after the hijack, you should waste no time and remove SmileBox from the system. To do it manually, please have a look at detailed instructions that are listed below. Please, follow them carefully to be sure that all hijacker-related components are gone. Otherwise, you may experience another hijack.

However, if you want to be 100% sure that SmileBox removal is successful, opt for automatic removal option. This method requires scanning the computer with an updated anti-malware tool.

You can remove virus damage automatically with a help of one of these programs: Reimage, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes. We recommend these applications because they detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.

What to do if failed?
If you failed to remove virus damage using Reimage, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.

Reimage is recommended to remove virus damage. Free scanner allows you to check whether your PC is infected or not. If you need to remove malware, you have to purchase the licensed version of Reimage malware removal tool.

Remove Smilebox from Windows systems

Guidelines that are listed below will help you remove SmileBox via Control Panel. If you haven't installed this program yourself, please look for other unknown applications and uninstall them as well.

Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).

If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.

Uninstall Smilebox and related programs
Here, look for Smilebox or any other recently installed suspicious programs.

Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.

Remove Smilebox from Windows shortcuts
Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties.

Go to Shortcut tab and look at the Target field. Delete malicious URL that is related to your virus.

Repeat steps that are given above with all browsers' shortcuts, including Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Make sure you check all locations of these shortcuts, including Desktop, Start Menu and taskbar.

Remove Smilebox from Safari

If you need to recover Safari to its previous state, fix it by following these steps.

Remove dangerous extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences.

Here, select Extensions and look for Smilebox or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.

Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Open your Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu section. Here, select Preferences as it was displayed previously and select General.

Here, look at the Homepage field. If it was altered by Smilebox, remove unwanted link and enter the one that you want to use for your searches. Remember to include the "http://" before typing in the address of the page.

Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari....

Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Smilebox removal process.

I hate smilebox. Please remove me from this service and unsubscribe me ASAP

DARLENE ATKINS says:January 4th, 2013 at 8:17 pm

I WOULD LIKE U TO TAKE ME OFF SMILEBOX…. I DO NOT USE IT BUT HAVE TO PAY 4 IT EACH MONTH. THANK YOU.

Adela says:December 12th, 2012 at 11:36 pm

now delete this from my computer

LLOYD ARNOLDI says:March 30th, 2013 at 6:14 pm

PLEASE DELETE SMILEBOX ON MY COMPUTER .I NO LONGER WANT TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT I DONT USE .ALSO I DO NOT WANT MY CHKING ACCOUNT CHARGED IN THE FUTURE . 3-30-2013 6:00 CDT

Pat Lawson says:April 1st, 2013 at 7:49 pm

Please delete smilebox off my computer and out f my checking account. I used it once.

Melissa says:May 30th, 2013 at 7:29 pm

I used Smilebox once, didnt find what I needed and it changed all of the settings on my computer. I learned latter that Smilebox has a D- rating with the Better Business Bureau, I am not surprised. I want it off my computer and out of my life too!

Anonymous says:August 23rd, 2013 at 3:30 pm

I downloaded Smilebox awhile ago and found out that its not really what I needed. I googled on how to uninstall this program from your computer and heres what I found (go to this link): http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_uninstall_smilebox Now I have already gotten rid of Smilebox and I want to share it with those people with this same problem.
* * *
If you wish to uninstall the Smilebox program from your computer, please do the following:

If you have Windows XP, click the Start button, then Control Panel. Select “Add or Remove Programs”. When the list of programs comes up, click on Smilebox and then on the “Remove” button. If you are using a partner version of Smilebox it may have a slightly different name, such as, Hallmark Smilebox.*

If you have Windows Vista or Windows 7, click on the Start button, then Control Panel. Select “Programs and Features” (“Programs” for Windows 7 users). When the list of programs comes up, click on Smilebox and then on the “Uninstall” button. If you are using a partner version of Smilebox it may have a slightly different name, such as, Hallmark Smilebox.*

If you have Mac, the uninstall is a 3 step process: 1) close the icon on the menu bar (click the Smilebox icon and then select Quit from the menu options), 2) from the Applications folder, drag the Smilebox application to the trash, and 3) from your home directory, choose Library > Application Support folder, drag Smilebox to the trash. You can then empty your trash to clear Smilebox.

Violet says:January 15th, 2014 at 1:33 am

Smilebox MyStart was installed on my computer when I downloaded a Macromedia Flash update. Why on earth did a reputable program such as Flash come bundled with this invasive piece of trash??